Sirs Gawain and Galahad

Gawain and Galahad were two knights; both of them Knights of the Round Table. The Knights of the Round Table were the Arthurian knights, who sat with King Arthur around a circular table (hence the name Round Table!!!). They, basically, became the focal point of fellowship between knights. Gawain came to fame by the story of the Green Knight. Galahad had came to fame by founding the famous Holy Grail. Gawain and Galahad are perceived to be brothers. In other legends they are step-brothers. Gawain has three other brothers as well.



SIR GAWAIN

Sir Gawain, of Green Knight fame, was the oldest son of King Lot Luwddoc of Gododdin. He is often mentioned in early Welsh literature as Gwalchmai lituature. After his baptism as a child, Gawain was set adrift in a casket, being eventually rescued by a poor fisherman.
  • Was educated in Rome
  • Was knighted by Pope Sulpicius, the returned to Britain
  • When in Britain he went to the court of the High-King Arthur, where he was Re-united with his parents
  • He was well recieved at the court and acquiered his name Gwalltafwyn or "hair like rain".
  • He underwent many adventures in King Arthur's name such as: The Green Knight Episode, his battle with Carl of Carlisle and his famous marrige to Lady Ragnell




Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

Sir Gawain and other knights were at Arthur's court when Green Knight came in asking one and all to fight him. Gawain was the only one to accept the offer. The Green Knight let Gawain strike first. Gawain drew his sword and cut offf the Green Kinght's head. The Green Knight, un-daunted, picks up his head, puts it back on, and tell Gawain to meet him there tomarrow to fight. The next day as Gawain goes to meet the Green Knight for their fight, he recieves a green lace that is to protect him. When he meet the Green Knight, Gawain cuts off the Knight's head, again, after he recieves a cut to the neck. The second time Gawain cut off the Knight's head again head broke a spell that was put on him, and when learning of the lace, he says would never have fought him if he knew Gawain posesed such a powerful lace.


Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell
While staying with King Urien, at Caer-Ligualid, King Arthur was overpowered, outside the walls of the city, by a local knight. He agreed to spare King arthur's life, if he could return one year later with an answer to the his riddle: "What is it that women most desire" If he did not get the right answer, his life would be forfeit. A year passed, but Arthur was unable to find a reply to his satisfactory. So, he traveled to Caer-Ligualid once more, but, on his way, he met a hideous old women sitting by the side of the road. Hearing of the King's delema, she promised an answer to his riddle, if he would promise her a husband. King Arthur eagerly agreed, and was told that what all women desire most is their own way! Arthur delivered his message, and returned to court in triumph. Now had to find someone willing to marry his savior, the loathly lady. Gawain eventually stepped forward to save the High-King's embarrassment, and the two were wed among little celebration. Then on the wedding night, when the old woman revealed that she was a beautiful maiden cast under a spell. She could be hideous by day and beautiful at night, or vice versa, the choice was Gawain's. Torn by the decision, Gawain suddenly remembered King Arthur's riddle and told his wife she must have her own way and choose herself. Delighted, the lady declared that Gawain's answer had broken the spell, and from then on she remained beautiful forever.

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Lady Ragnall before the spell was broken




SIR GALAHAD

Sir Galahad was the illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot and Lady Elaine of Corbenic. He was placed under the care his great aunt and grew up at the nunnery where she was abbess.

The Quest Of The Holy Grail
One day a sword in a stone was seen in a river by Arthur's knights, and it was said that only the world's best knight could pull out the sword. Galahad was led into Arthur's court where he sat in the Siege Perilous and then drew the sword out. It was later on when the Grail appeared in a vision, at Arthur's court that Galahad was one of the three knights chosen to undertake the Quest for the Holy Grail. He was given a white shield, made by Evelake, with a red cross which Joseph of Arimathea had drawn in blood. In the course of the Quest he joined up with Percivale, Bors, and Percivale's sister. On board Solomon's ship, Galahad obtained the Sword of David, and after the death of Percivale's sister the trio split up for a while and Galahad traveled with his father, Lancelot. When the three rejoined forces they came to Carbonek and achieved the Grail. Galahad mended the broken sword, and therefore, He was allowed to see the Grail. After beholding the Holy Grail, Galahad requested of Joseph of Arimathea that he die, which request was granted unto him. Galahad was always known as the "Perfect Knight". He was perfect in courage, gentleness, courtesy, and chivalry

The Conception
Galahad's conception comes about when Elaine, daughter of the Grail King Pelles, uses magic to trick Lancelot into thinking she is Guinevere. King Pelles knew that Lancelot would have a child with Elaine and their child, Galahad, would become the greatest knight in the world and eventually find the Holy Grail. He also knew that Lancelot would only lie with his one true love Queen Guinevere. King Pelles went to find “one of the greatest enchantresses of the time”, Dame Brusen and she gives Pelles a magic ring that will make Lancelot think Elaine is Guinevere. Lancelot and Elaine sleep together, but on discovering what has transpired, Lancelot tries to kill Elaine for her transgressions but when he finds out that they have conceived a son he is immediately forgiving; however he does not marry Elaine or even wish to be with her anymore and he returns to Arthur's court. Galahad is placed in the care of his great aunt, the abbess at a nunnery, and is raised there. A section in this text examines the work of Malory and how Galahads conception is never directly mentioned. “…both occasions of sleeping with Elaine are glossed over in the sentence. And so by enchantment she won the love of Sir Lancelot, and certainly she loved him again passing well”. Galahads conception happened because of pure deceit, this is the knight that was to be chosen to find the Holy Grail


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Sir Lancelot